Fluid container adapters

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments are generally directed to fluid container adapters that couple with a fluid container, so to enable access to the contents of the fluid container, such as from an endoscopic system via a tubing set. Several embodiments are particularly directed to a fluid container adapter that can couple with an opening in a variety of fluid containers to place one or more tubes in fluid communication with an interior of any particular one of the variety of fluid containers.

PRIORITY

The present application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. Nos. 63/084,274, 63/084,284,63/084,292, and 63/084,297, each filed Sep. 28, 2020, the disclosures ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to adapters for fluidcontainers. In particular, the present disclosure relates to universalfluid container adapters for endoscopic systems.

BACKGROUND

Endoscopy procedures that use typical endoscopes have some commonfunctionalities available to an operator. One includes the ability toinsufflate a patient by passing a fluid, such as air or carbon dioxide,through the endoscope in a controlled manner into a target luminalspace. Another includes the ability to flush water across the imaginglens to clear the field of view. Yet another of the commonfunctionalities includes the ability to irrigate the lumen to cleansurfaces and aid in flushing/suctioning debris during a procedure.Oftentimes, these common functionalities, among others, are drivenduring a procedure by one or more fluid containers and/or sources. Forexample, an air pump or carbon dioxide source for insufflation, a waterbottle for lens cleaning, and/or a sterile water bottle for irrigation.In some cases, a hybrid tubing set may be used to drive both lenscleaning and irrigation from a sterile water bottle. In either case, theone or more fluid containers and/or sources must be attached to thetubing set of the endoscope. It is with all of the above considerationsin mind that the improvements of the present disclosure may be useful.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a fluid containeradapter comprising a shell and an elastic member. The shell may includeinterior cavity configured to couple with a fluid container. The elasticmember may be disposed in the interior cavity. The elastic member mayinclude a cylindrical shape and be configured to interface with anexterior threaded portion of the fluid container.

In some embodiments, the elastic member is configured to seal with theexterior portion of the fluid container. In various embodiments, theelastic member comprises a first portion with a first thickness and asecond portion with a second thickness. In various such embodiments, thesecond portion is configured to flex more than the first portion. Insome such embodiments, the second thickness is less than the firstthickness. In one or more such embodiments, the second portion comprisesan adjustable thread. In many embodiments, the shell includes with oneor more through holes. In many such embodiments, the one or more throughholes are configured to place a tube set in fluid communication with aninterior portion of the fluid container. Several embodiments include agap between the elastic member and a portion of the shell, the elasticmember configured to displace into at least a portion of the gap wheninterfaced with the exterior portion of the fluid container. In someembodiments, the elastic member comprises a shape memory elastomer. Invarious embodiments, the elastic member is disposed in the interiorcavity via overmolding. In many embodiments, the shell comprises one ormore slides with at least one carriage disposed in each of the one ormore slides. In many such embodiments, at least a portion of the elasticmember is disposed on each of the one or more carriages. In severalembodiments, the elastic member comprises one or more of rubber andsilicone. In some embodiments, an elastic disc is disposed on aflat-planar surface in the interior cavity. In some such embodiments,the elastic disc is configured to seal with a top of the fluidcontainer.

In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a system comprisinga fluid container, a fluid container adapter, and a set of one or moretubes. The fluid container adapter may include a shell and an elasticmember. The shell may include an interior cavity and be coupled to thefluid container The elastic member may be disposed in the interiorcavity. The elastic member may include a cylindrical shape and beconfigured to interface with an exterior threaded portion of the fluidcontainer. The set of one or more tubes may extend through the shell ofthe fluid container adapter and be in fluid communication with aninterior of the fluid container.

In some embodiments, the shell comprises one or more slides with atleast one carriage disposed in each of the one or more slides. In somesuch embodiments, at least a portion of the elastic member is disposedon each of the one or more carriages. In various embodiments, theelastic member is configured to seal with the exterior portion of thefluid container. In various such embodiments, the exterior portion ofthe fluid container comprises male threads.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method. Themethod may include one or more of: forming a shell with an interiorcavity and one or more holes extending through the shell and into theinterior cavity; and disposing an elastic member in the interior cavity,the elastic member comprising a cylindrical shape and configured to sealwith an exterior threaded portion of the fluid container. In someembodiments, the method includes disposing the elastic member in theinterior cavity via overmolding.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure are described by wayof example with reference to the accompanying figures, which areschematic and not intended to be drawn to scale. In the figures, eachidentical or nearly identical component illustrated is typicallyrepresented by a single numeral. For purposes of clarity, not everycomponent is labeled in every figure, nor is every component of eachembodiment shown where illustration is not necessary to allow those ofordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure. In the figures:

FIG. 1 illustrates a fluid container adapter in conjunction with a neckof a fluid container according to one or more embodiments disclosedhereby.

FIG. 2 illustrates a fluid container adapter in conjunction with a fluidcontainer according to one or more embodiments disclosed hereby.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate various aspects of a fluid container adapterin conjunction with a fluid container according to one or moreembodiments disclosed hereby.

FIG. 4 illustrates a fluid container adapter in conjunction with a fluidcontainer according to one or more embodiments disclosed hereby.

FIGS. 5A-5F illustrate various aspects of a fluid container adapter inconjunction with a fluid container according to one or more embodimentsdisclosed hereby.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments are generally directed to fluid container adaptersthat couple with a fluid container, so to facilitate access to thecontents of the fluid container, such as by an endoscopic system via atubing set. Several embodiments are particularly directed to fluidcontainer adapters able to couple with a variety of fluid containers toplace one or more tubes in fluid communication with an interior of anyparticular one of the variety of fluid containers. In one embodiment,for example, a fluid container adapter may include a shell with aninterior cavity configured to couple with a fluid container. In suchembodiments, the fluid container adapter may include an elastic memberdisposed in the interior cavity of the shell. The elastic member mayinclude a cylindrical shape and be configured to interface with anexterior portion of the fluid container. These and other embodiments aredescribed and claimed.

Some challenges in coupling with a fluid container and gaining access tothe contents of the fluid container include having a fluid containeradapter that is compatible with the fluid container. For example, afluid container adapter may include a screw cap with one or more tubesextending therethrough. In such examples, the screw cap may couple tocorresponding static threads on a neck of the fluid container with theone or more tubes extending therethrough enabling the endoscopic systemto access the contents of the fluid container. However, there are manydifferent types of fluid container manufacturers that offer differentfluid container designs. Further, manufacturers may offer differentfluid container designs and/or periodically change or update fluidcontainer designs. For instance, manufacturers may offer designs withdifferent thread patterns around the world based on regional preferencesor demands. This presents a challenge for manufacturers of tubing setsby requiring them to offer multiple products with customized fluidcontainer adapters for each design. Further, product acquisition andstocking by health care facilities is complicated by necessitating theyensure that tubing sets have a fluid container adapter that iscompatible with an available fluid container.

Accordingly, various embodiments of the present disclosure include fluidcontainer adapters that widen the scope of compatibility to a variety ofdifferent fluid container designs. In many embodiments, one or morefluid container adapters of the present disclosure may provide anefficient, safe, and effective way to couple with and gain access to thecontents of a multitude of fluid container designs. Enabling fluidcontainer adapters to be compatible with different fluid containerdesigns allows medical device companies (e.g., manufacturers of tubingsets) to offer products that are more adaptable and appeal to a broadermarket. Further, enabling fluid container adapters to be compatible withdifferent fluid container designs can simplify product acquisition andstocking by health care facilities.

It may be understood that the disclosure included herein is exemplaryand explanatory only and is not restrictive. As used herein, the terms“comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intendedto cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method,article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not includeonly those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listedor inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. The term“exemplary” is used in the sense of “example,” rather than “ideal.”Although endoscopes and endoscopic systems are referenced herein,reference to endoscopes, endoscopic systems, or endoscopy should not beconstrued as limiting the possible applications of the disclosedaspects. For example, the disclosed aspects may be used in conjunctionwith duodenoscopes, bronchoscopes, ureteroscopes, colonoscopes,catheters, diagnostic or therapeutic tools or devices, or other types ofmedical devices or systems.

Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like reference numeralsare used to refer to like elements throughout. In the followingdescription, for purpose of explanation, numerous specific details areset forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It maybe evident, however, that the novel embodiments can be practiced withoutthese specific details. In other instances, well known structures anddevices are shown in block diagram form to facilitate a descriptionthereof. The intention is to cover all modification, equivalents, andalternatives within the scope of the claims.

FIG. 1 illustrates a fluid container adapter 100 in conjunction with atube set 106 and a fluid container 116 according to one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure. In one or more embodiments of thepresent disclosure, components of the fluid container adapters mayinteroperate to couple with a fluid container and facilitate access tothe contents of the fluid container via a tube set, such as a tube setfor an endoscopic system. In the illustrated embodiment, fluid containeradapter 100 couples to fluid container 116 and places a tube set 106 ofone or more tubes 106-1, 106-2, 106-n in fluid communication with aninterior 134 of the fluid container 116. Further, at least a portion ofeach tube in set 106 is on an exterior 132 of the fluid container 116.In several embodiments, fluid container adapter 100 may couple to and/orseal with a portion of the fluid container 116. The components of FIG. 1are oriented with a top 105 and a bottom 115. In some embodiments, FIG.1 may include one or more components that are the same or similar to oneor more other components of the present disclosure. Further, one or morecomponents of FIG. 1, or aspects thereof, may be incorporated into otherembodiments of the present disclosure without departing from the scopeof this disclosure. Embodiments are not limited in this context.

Various embodiments disclosed hereby are directed to fluid containeradapters that couple with a fluid container to enable access to thecontents of the fluid container, such as from an endoscopic system via atubing set. Several embodiments are particularly directed to a fluidcontainer adapter that can couple with an opening in a variety of fluidcontainers to place one or more tubes in fluid communication with aninterior of any particular one of the variety of fluid containers. Inone or more embodiments, the fluid container adapter 100 may enable tubeset 106 to be used in conjunction with a plurality of types and designsof fluid containers. The fluid container adapter 100 may include one ormore passages 109-1, 109-2, 109-n to enable tubes to be placed in fluidcommunication with the interior 134 of the fluid container 116.

Generally, the fluid container 116 includes a neck 124, a shoulder 126,and a body 128. Additionally, the fluid container 116 may include anopening, such as at the top of the neck 124 (see e.g., FIG. 4). Invarious embodiments, the fluid container adapter 100 may couple to oneor more portions of the fluid container 116, such as the neck 124. Invarious such embodiments, the fluid container adapter 100 may blockand/or seal the opening in the fluid container 116. The fluid containeradapter 100 may couple to and/or seal with interior and/or exteriorportions of the fluid container 116. For example, a portion of the fluidcontainer adapter 100 may be inserted into the fluid container 116.

The fluid container adapter 100 may be constructed from a variety ofmaterials and or components. For instance, the fluid container adapter100 may include portions constructed from one or more materials havingone or more characteristics, such as flexible, rigid, semi-rigid,semi-flexible, deformable, conformable, sealing, shape-memory,elastomeric, polymeric, and the like. In some embodiments, one or moreof the materials may deform permanently. For example, the fluidcontainer adapter 100 may include a permanently deformable material thatcreates a permanent female version of the first fluid container threadedinto the fluid container adapter 100. In other embodiments, thedeformation may be nonpermanent. In many embodiments, the fluidcontainer adapter 100 may include layers of one or more materials. Forexample, the fluid container adapter 100 may include a skeleton layer ofrigid materials and a skin layer of sealing material.

As previously mentioned, the fluid container adapter 100 may include oneor more passages 109-1, 109-2, 109-n to enable tubes to be placed influid communication with the interior 134 of the fluid container 116.The passages 109 may place tubes in fluid communication with theinterior 134 of the fluid container 116 in a variety of manners. Forexample, passage 109-1 may extend from the top to the bottom of thefluid container adapter 100. In another example, passage 109-2 mayinclude a protrusion, such as with one or more Luer lock barbs, thattube 106-2 couples to. In yet another example, passage 109-n may extendthrough a portion of the fluid container adapter 100.

In some embodiments, one or more of the passages 109 may couple a tubein tube set 106 with another tubular member. In some such embodiments,the other tubular member may extend from the bottom of the passage. Forexample, the other tubular member may include a straw coupled to thebottom end of passage 109-n. In various embodiments, the other tubularmember may include different characteristics than the tube in tube set106. The other tubular member may be configured for interfacing withcontents in a fluid container. For example, the other tubular member maybe more flexible that the tube in tube set 106 to facilitate efficientmovement of a pickup (e.g., orifice for drawing/expelling in/out fluidsfrom the tube) to the lowest point in the fluid container. In anotherexample, the other tubular member may be more rigid than the tube intube set 106 to prevent kinking or curling.

In several embodiments, the fluid container adapter 100 may create aseal with one or more tubes in the tube set 106, such as by extending atube through a passage or coupling the tube with the passage. Forinstance, passage 109-1 may include a lining that creates a slidableseal with tube 106-1. In some embodiments, passage 109-1 may form afluid tight seal with the exterior of tube 106-1, the protrusion ofpassage 109-2 may form a fluid tight seal with the interior of tube106-2, and passage 109-n may form a fluid tight seal with the exteriorof tube 106-n. In some such embodiments, the fluid tight seals may bemaintained as one or more of the tubes 106-1, 106-n are slid up and downin passages 109-1, 109-n, respectively.

Accordingly, in some embodiments, the fluid container adapter 100 mayplace the tube set 106 in fluid communication with the interior 134 ofthe fluid container 116 while keeping the interior 134 of the fluidcontainer 116 sealed from the exterior 132. In some embodiments, thefluid container adapter 100 may maintain a slidable seal with theexterior of one or more tubes in tube set 106. For instance, the fluidcontainer adapter 100 may maintain a fluid seal with the exterior of atube as the tube is inserted through the fluid container adapter 100 andinto the interior 134 of the fluid container 116.

In various embodiments, the tube set 106 may be used to remove fluidsfrom and/or introduce fluids into the interior 134 of the fluidcontainer 116. For example, tube 106-2 may be used to pump a gas (e.g.,air, carbon dioxide, etc.) into the fluid container 116 and tube 106-1may allow a liquid (e.g., water, saline, etc.) to exit the fluidcontainer 116 as a result of the gas being pumped into the fluidcontainer 116. In another example, tube 106-1 may be used to suck aliquid out of the fluid container 116 and tube 106-2 (or a valve builtinto the fluid container adapter 100) may allow gas pressure in thefluid container 116 to equalize with the atmosphere. In such otherexamples, a one-way valve and/or a pressure relief valve may be utilizedto equalize with the atmosphere. In various embodiments, one or more ofthe tubes in tube set 106 may comprise an irrigation line for anendoscopic system.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the tubes 106-1, 106-2, 106-nmay extend a variety of lengths into the fluid container 116. In manyembodiments, the length of each of the tubes may be determined based onthe function of the tube. For instance, on one hand, a vent tube may endproximate to the top 105 or couple to a passage with a fittingprotruding on the exterior 132 of the fluid container adapter 100. Onthe other hand, a tube for removing contents, such as a liquid, from thefluid container 116 may extend to the bottom 115 of the fluid container116. Oftentimes, a first tube of the tube set 106 may be placed in fluidcommunication with a first fluid (e.g., a gas) in the interior 134 ofthe fluid container 116 and a second tube of the tube set 106 may beplaced in fluid communication with a second fluid (e.g., a liquid) inthe interior 134 of the fluid container 16.

In one or more embodiments, fluid container adapter 100 may include oneor more valves (e.g., one-way vales, pressure relief vales, two-wayvalves, and the like) to control the flow of fluids into and/or out ofthe fluid container 116. For example, a one-way valve may be utilized toprevent back flow into fluid container 116. Further, in someembodiments, one or more of the tubes may be coaxial. For example, atube may be disposed coaxially with a second tube member having a largerdiameter, resulting in inner and outer tubes. In some such examples, theinner and outer tubes may extend through a single passage in the fluidcontainer adapter 100.

For this and other reasons, in many embodiments, the number of passages109 may not directly correspond to the number of tubes in tube set 106.For example, different endoscopic systems may require different numbersof tubes in fluid communication with the interior of a fluid container.Accordingly, one or more passages may be blocked or unblocked (e.g.,with a plug or cap) and/or one or more tubes may be removed or added toaccommodate different endoscopic systems or different configuration ofan endoscopic system. In other words, fluid container adapters can beadapted to different tube configurations and/or tube sets, such as via avariety of types of passages (e.g., passages 109-1, 109-2, 109-n).

The components of fluid container adapters disclosed hereby may beconstructed from a variety of material types and compositions includingone or more of polymers, elastomers, metals, alloys, shape-memorymaterials, rubber, silicon, plastic, composite materials, ceramics,polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), high-densitypolyethylene (HDPE), Nylon, polyether ether ketone (PEEK),thermoplastic, stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, and the like. Insome embodiments, different portions and/or components may include oneor more different types, compositions, or structures of materials. Forexample, a shell of the fluid container adapter may be constructed froma first type of polymer and an elastic member of the fluid containeradapter may be constructed from a second type of polymer with a lowerdurometer than the first type of polymer. In some embodiments, one ormore components and/or portions of the fluid container adapter mayinclude multiple material layers and/or embeddings, such as a semi-rigidskeletal structure.

In several embodiments, a method for utilizing one or more fluidcontainer adapters disclosed hereby (e.g., fluid container adapter 100)may proceed with one or more of the following steps. A first end of oneor more tubes may be connected to an endoscopic device or system and asecond end of the one or more tubes may be coupled to a protrusionand/or extended through one or more passages in the fluid containeradapter. The fluid container adapter may be coupled to a fluid containerto place one or more of the tubes in fluid communication with theinterior of the fluid container. In several embodiments, the fluidcontainer adapter may seal the interior of the tubes and/or fluidcontainer from an exterior environment. In many embodiments, the fluidcontainer adapter may couple to a fluid container proximate an openingin the fluid container (e.g., opening in a fluid container when a cap isremoved). In many such embodiments, one or more of the tubes may extendinto the fluid container via the opening. In some embodiments, the fluidcontainer adapter may attach to, cover up, or seal with the opening inthe fluid container. One or more fluids may be introduced into and/orremoved from the interior of the fluid container via a tube set when thefluid container adapter is coupled to the fluid container.

In several embodiments, a method for manufacturing one or more fluidcontainer adapters disclosed hereby (e.g., fluid container adapter 100)may proceed with one or more of the following steps. Forming a shellwith an interior cavity and one or more holes extending through theshell and into the interior cavity; and disposing an elastic member inthe interior cavity, the elastic member comprising a cylindrical shapeand configured to seal with an exterior portion of the fluid container.In some embodiments, the elastic member is disposed in the interiorcavity via overmolding.

FIG. 2 illustrates fluid container adapter 200 in conjunction with afluid container 216 according to one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, fluid container adapter 200couples to a neck 224 of the fluid container 216 to place one or moretubes in fluid communication with an interior of the fluid container,such as by extending the one or more tubes through passage 209. Thefluid container adapter 200 may utilize an elastic member 204 to couplewith the neck 224 of the fluid container. In some embodiments, FIG. 2may include one or more components that are the same or similar to oneor more other components of the present disclosure. Further, one or morecomponents of FIG. 2, or aspects thereof, may be incorporated into otherembodiments of the present disclosure without departing from the scopeof this disclosure. For example, elastic member 204 may be incorporatedinto fluid container adapter 100 without departing from the scope ofthis disclosure. The components of FIG. 2 are oriented with a top 205and a bottom 215. Embodiments are not limited in this context.

Fluid container adapter 200 includes a shell 210 with a passage 209 andan interior cavity 212. The shell may comprise one or more of a plasticand a metal. In the illustrated embodiment, a majority of the interiorcavity 212 is filled with the neck 224 of fluid container 216. Invarious embodiments, the passage 209 may be configured to receive, orhave extended therethrough, a tube being placed in fluid communicationwith the interior of the fluid container. Passage 209 may be the same orsimilar to one or more of passages disclosed hereby, such as passages109-1, 190-2, 109-n. The fluid container may include neck 224 withthreaded portion 208.

In one or more embodiments, the elastic member 204 may be disposedwithin the interior cavity 212 of the shell 210. The elastic member 204may comprise one or more of rubber, silicone, an elastomer, or shapememory material. In some embodiments, the elastic member may be disposedwithin the interior cavity 212 via overmolding. In other embodiments,the elastic member 204 may be disposed within the interior cavity 212via a snap fit between corresponding features (see e.g., channels 560and channel members 562 in FIGS. 5C-5F). The elastic member 204 may beconfigured to interface with an exterior portion of the fluid container216. For example, the elastic member 204 may be configured to couplewith, conform to, and/or seal with the threaded portion 208 of neck 224.On the other hand, shell 210 may be rigid relative to the elasticmember. In several embodiments, the shell 210 may provide a rigidsupport structure for the elastic member 204. As shown in theillustrated embodiment, the elastic member 204 may couple with, conformto, and seal with male threads included in the threaded portion 208 ofthe neck 224. In several embodiments, the elastic member 204 may includea cylindrical shape. In one or more embodiments, the elastic member 204may include a shape-memory material, such as a shape-memory elastomer.In various embodiments, the elastic member 204 may include a cylindricalshape with a smooth interior surface. In other embodiments, the elasticmember 204 may include a cylindrical shape with an interior surfacehaving one or more indentations and/or protrusions. For example, theelastic member 204 may include indentations comprising starter threads.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate various aspects of a fluid container adapter300 in conjunction with a fluid container 316 according to one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure. More specifically, FIG. 3Aillustrates fluid container adapter 300 with adjustable threads 314-1,314-2 (or adjustable threads 314) in conjunction with fluid container316 and FIG. 3B illustrates a detail view of adjustable thread 314-1interfacing with the neck 324 of fluid container 316. In someembodiments, FIGS. 3A and/or 3B may include one or more components thatare the same or similar to one or more other components of the presentdisclosure. Further, one or more components of FIGS. 3A and/or 3B, oraspects thereof, may be incorporated into other embodiments of thepresent disclosure without departing from the scope of this disclosure.For example, shell 310 may be the same or similar to the shell 210. Thecomponents of FIGS. 3A and 3B are oriented with a top 305 and a bottom315. Embodiments are not limited in this context.

In the illustrated embodiment, fluid container adapter 300 may include ashell 310 with a flat-planar surface 334 and adjustable threads 314-1,314-2. It will be appreciated that adjustable threads 314-1, 314-2 maybe part of a continuous spiral adjustable thread. In variousembodiments, the adjustable threads 314 may conform to a threadedportion 308 on the neck 324 of fluid container 316. More generally,fluid container adapter 300 may include one or more adjustable threadsthat can couple with, conform to, and/or seal with a variety ofdifferent thread types may be disposed, such as via overmolding, in theinterior cavity 312 of the shell 310. For instance, when the adjustablethreads 314 encounter a difference in pitch and/or different outsidediameter, the adjustable threads 314 may deform to adapt to the threadsof the fluid container. In many embodiments, the adjustable threads 314may be able to accommodate a broader range of male threads on a fluidcontainer than the elastic member 204. On the other hand, the elasticmember 204 may accommodate a broader range of female threads thanadjustable threads 314. In some embodiments, adjustable threads 314 mayinclude or be referred to as an elastic member.

The flat-planar surface 334 of shell 310 may comprise a top of the fluidcontainer adapter 300. In several embodiments, the flat-planar surface334 may include one or more passages. The flat-planar surface 334 may bea circular member (e.g., disc) and/or include a circular portion. Insome embodiments, an elastic disc may be disposed on the flat-planarsurface 334 in the interior cavity 312. In some such embodiments, theelastic disc may contact and/or seal with a top exterior surface of theneck 324 (see e.g., elastic disc 551 of FIG. 5B).

In one or more embodiments, the adjustable threads 314 may be disposedwithin the interior cavity 312 of the shell 310. The adjustable threads314 may comprise one or more of rubber, silicone, an elastomer, or ashape memory material. In various embodiments, the adjustable threads314 may be disposed within the interior cavity 312 via overmolding. Inother embodiments, the adjustable threads 314 may be disposed within theinterior cavity 312 via a snap fit between corresponding features (seee.g., channels 560 and channel members 562 in FIGS. 5C-5F). Theadjustable threads 314 may be configured to interface with an exteriorportion of the fluid container 316. For example, the adjustable threads314 may be configured to couple with, conform to, and/or seal with thethreaded portion 308 of neck 324. As shown in the illustratedembodiment, the adjustable threads 314 may couple with, conform to, andseal with male threads included in the threaded portion 308 of the neck324. In several embodiments, the adjustable threads 314 may include oneor more of a cylindrical, helical, circular, and curved shape. In one ormore embodiments, the adjustable threads 314 may include a shape-memorymaterial, such as a shape-memory elastomer. As shown in the illustratedembodiment, in some embodiments, the adjustable threads 314 may includea tapered portion on the bottom side. In other embodiments, the taperedportion may result from deformation of the adjustable threads 314 due tointerfacing with threaded portion 308.

Referring to FIG. 3B, the interior cavity 312 of fluid container adapter300 may include gaps 330-1, 330-2 above and below the adjustable thread314-1. When the adjustable thread 314-1 is interfaced with thread 308-1,the adjustable thread 314-1 may deform and/or flex. Further, theadjustable thread 314-1 is configured to displace into at least aportion of the gap 330-1 when interfaced with an exterior portion of thefluid container 316 (e.g., thread 308-1). In many embodiments, theadjustable thread 314-1 may spiral around the interior cavity 312. Insome embodiments, another adjustable thread may be disposed below thread308-1. For example, thread 308-1 may be sandwiched between an upperadjustable thread (e.g., adjustable thread 314-1) and a lower adjustablethread. In some such examples, the upper and lower adjustable threadsmay comprise a deformable female thread.

Adjustable thread 314-1 may include portions of differing flexibility.In some embodiments, differing flexibility may result from varying athickness of the adjustable thread. For example, a taper 332 at the endof the adjustable thread 314-1 may be more flexible than other portionsof the adjustable thread 314-1 In one or more embodiments, the varyingflexibility of the adjustable thread 314-1 may facilitate the fluidcontainer adapter 300 being used with a variety of types of fluidcontainers.

FIG. 4 illustrates fluid container adapter 400 in conjunction with afluid container 416 according to one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, fluid container adapter 400couples to a neck 424 of the fluid container 416 over opening 422 toplace one or more tubes in fluid communication with an interior of thefluid container via one or more passages (not shown) in shell 410. Thefluid container adapter 400 may utilize one or more carriages (e.g.,carriages 440-1, 440-2) moving along a tapered thread 442 to couple withthe neck 424 of the fluid container 416. In some embodiments, FIG. 4 mayinclude one or more components that are the same or similar to one ormore other components of the present disclosure. Further, one or morecomponents of FIG. 4, or aspects thereof, may be incorporated into otherembodiments of the present disclosure without departing from the scopeof this disclosure. For example, shell 410 may be incorporated intofluid container adapter 100 without departing from the scope of thisdisclosure. The components of FIG. 4 are oriented with a top 405 and abottom 415. Embodiments are not limited in this context.

Fluid container adapter 400 includes shell 410 with an interior cavity412 having a tapered thread 442 and carriages 440-1, 440-2 with grippingsurfaces 444-1, 444-2, respectively. In various embodiments, frictionbetween the gripping surfaces 444 and features of the neck 424 (e.g.,male threads) may cause the carriages 440 to advance toward the top ofthe tapered thread 442 in response to rotation in a first direction. Asthe carriages 440 advance toward the top of the tapered thread 442, theradial force exerted by the gripping surfaces 444 on the neck 424 mayincrease. In this way, fluid container adapter 400 may couple with,conform to, and/or seal with fluid container 416.

Similarly, rotation in a second direction may cause the carriages 440 tomove toward the bottom of the tapered thread 442, and as the carriages440 move towards the bottom of the tapered thread 442, the radial forceexerted by the gripping surfaces 444 on the neck 424 may decrease, andeventually allow removal of the fluid container adapter 400 from fluidcontainer 416. In some embodiments, the gripping surfaces 444 may bedisposed on the carriages 440, respectively, via overmolding. In otherembodiments, the gripping surfaces 444-1, 444-2 may be disposed on thecarriages 440-1, 440-2, respectively, via a snap fit betweencorresponding features (see e.g., channels 560 and channel members 562in FIGS. 5C-5F).

FIGS. 5A-5F illustrate various aspects of a fluid container adapter 500in conjunction with a fluid container 516 according to one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure. More specifically, FIG. 5Aillustrates a side perspective view of a shell 510 of the fluidcontainer adapter 500. FIG. 5B illustrates a bottom perspective view ofthe shell 510 of the fluid container adapter 500. FIG. 5C illustrates aperspective view of a carriage of the fluid container adapter 500. FIG.5D illustrates an elastic member 504-1 of the fluid container adapter500. FIG. 5E illustrates a perspective view of the fluid containeradapter 500 with the shell 510 removed and in conjunction with fluidcontainer 516. FIG. 5F illustrates a cross-sectional view of the fluidcontainer adapter 500 in conjunction with the fluid container 516. Insome embodiments, FIGS. 5A-5F may include one or more components thatare the same or similar to one or more other components of the presentdisclosure. Further, one or more components of FIGS. 5A-5F, or aspectsthereof, may be incorporated into other embodiments of the presentdisclosure without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Forexample, carriages 552 may be the same or similar to carriages 440. Inanother example, one or more of passages 109-1, 109-2, 109-n may beincorporated into fluid container adapter 500 without departing from thescope of this disclosure. The components of FIGS. 5A-5F are orientedwith a top 505 and a bottom 515. Embodiments are not limited in thiscontext.

Referring to FIG. 5A, the fluid container adapter 500 may include ashell 510 with a passage 509. Oftentimes, the shell 510 may include oneor more ergonomic features. For example, shell 510 may include one ormore surface features (e.g., longitudinal channels in shell 510) toimprove user experience. In various embodiments, the surface featuresmay include, contours, protrusions, channels, ridges, bumps, hatching,and the like.

Referring to FIG. 5B, the shell 510 may include an opening of passage509 in flat-planar surface 534, a plurality of slides 550-1, 550-2,550-3, and an elastic disc 551 disposed on the flat-planar surface. Thepassage 509 may extend from an exterior surface of the shell 510 to aninterior surface of the shell 510 (e.g., inside the interior cavity512). In some embodiments, the elastic disc 551 may be disposed on theflat-planar surface 534 in the interior cavity 512. In some suchembodiments, the elastic disc may contact and/or seal with a topexterior surface of the fluid container 516 (see e.g., exterior surface575 of FIG. 5E). The slides 550 may comprise recessed channels in thewall of the interior cavity 512. As will be discussed in more detailbelow, carriages may move along the slides 550 similar to the carriages440 of fluid container adapter 400 moving along the tapered thread 442.The slides 550 may be offset from each other. For example, in theillustrated embodiment, the slides 550 are offset from each other by 120degrees. The interior cavity 512 may have a taper. For instance, thediameter may decrease towards the top of the shell 510.

In FIG. 5C, a carriage 552-1 is illustrated. The carriage 552-1 may movealong one of the slides 550 with a portion of the carriage 552-1 beingdisposed therein. The carriage 552-1 may include a guide shoe 556 with adetent 554 and a mount 558 with channels 560-1, 560-2. The guide shoe556 may be disposed in one of the slides 550. The taper of the interiorcavity 512 may cause the carriage 552-1 to move towards a longitudinalaxis at the center of the interior cavity 512 when the carriage 552-1 ismoved along the slide 550-1 towards the top of the shell 510. The guideshoe 556 may include a shape that corresponds to a slide. In someembodiments, the corresponding shapes between the guide shoe 556 and theslide may be configured to restrict the carriage 552-1 to linearmovement. As will be described in more detail below, the detent 554 maybe configured to retain the carriage 552-1 in a predetermined positionalong one of the slides 550. In some embodiments, retaining the carriage552-1 in a predetermined position along one of the slides 550 mayprevent the fluid container adapter 500 from being used more than once.

In FIG. 5D, an elastic member 504-1 is illustrated. The elastic member504-1 includes channel members 562-1, 562-2 and gripping surface 544. Insome embodiments, gripping surface 544 may be the same or similar togripping surface 444-1, 444-2. The elastic member 504-1 may be disposedon the carriage 552-1, such as via a snap fit. For example, channelmembers 562-1, 562-2 of elastic member 504-1 may be received by channels560-1, 560-2 of carriage 552-1.

Fluid container adapter 500 may include one or more carriages with oneor more elastic members. In many embodiments each of the one or morecarriages and/or each of the one or more elastic members may be the sameor similar. For example, carriage 552-1 may be the same as carriages552-2, 552-3. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 5E, fluid containeradapter 500 includes three carriages 552-1, 552-2, 552-3, each with anelastic member 504-1, 504-2, 504-3. The gripping surfaces of the elasticmembers 504 contact the neck 524 of fluid container 516. Similar tofluid container adapter 400, as carriages move up along respectiveslides, the radial force of the elastic members 504 on the fluidcontainer 516 increases due to the taper of the interior cavity 512. Asshown in FIG. 5E, the elastic members 504-3 contact male threads 564 onthe exterior of fluid container 516. Some embodiments may include aninterface that allows carriages to be manually positioned. For example,a lever may extend through the shell and enable manual movement ofcarriages. In many embodiments, the ability to manually adjust theposition of carriages may facilitate use of the fluid container adapterwith a broader range of fluid container designs (e.g., a larger range ofoutside diameters).

FIG. 5F illustrates a cross-sectional view of fluid container adapter500, including the taper of the interior cavity 512, in conjunction withfluid container 516. Further, FIG. 5F includes slide 550-1 with catch566 and carriage 552-1 with detent 554. As previously mentioned, thedetent 554 may be configured to retain the carriage 552-1 in apredetermined position along one of the slides 550. In some embodiments,retaining the carriage 552-1 in a predetermined position along one ofthe slides 550 may prevent the fluid container adapter 500 from beingused multiple times. Accordingly, when carriage 552-1 moves far enoughtowards the top of slide 550-1, detent 554 may be received by catch 566.In such embodiments, when detent 554 is received by catch 566, thecarriage 552-1 may be prevented from returning to the bottom of slide550-1. In other such embodiments, the detent 554 being received by thecatch 566 may reversibly lock the fluid container adapter 500 onto thefluid container 516. In various embodiments, the detent 554 and catch566 may provide haptic feedback, such as to indicate when the carriage552-1 cannot move further upwards.

As previously mentioned, various embodiments of the present disclosureinclude fluid container enclosures that widen the scope of compatibilityto a variety of different fluid container designs and/or functionalitytypes, such as insufflation and irrigation. In many embodiments, one ormore fluid container enclosures of the present disclosure may provide anefficient, safe, and effective way to couple with and gain access to thecontents of a multitude of fluid container designs. Enabling fluidcontainer enclosures to be compatible with different fluid containerdesigns allows manufacturers of tubing sets to offer products that aremore adaptable. Further, enabling fluid container enclosures to becompatible with different fluid container designs can simplify productacquisition and stocking by health care facilities.

For example, enclosure systems according to some embodiments may be usedwith a wide variety of fluid container port, opening, or neckdimensions, such as an opening diameter and/or thread configuration (forinstance, Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) thread finish, “H” dimension,thread distance, thread dimensions, and/or the like), thread pitch,outer diameter (OD) of port or neck (OD port), OD of threads (ODthread), thread width, and/or the like. In addition, enclosure systemsaccording to some embodiments may be used on fluid containers made byvarious manufacturers.

For example, in some embodiments, an enclosure system may include asingle cap that is capable of being installed on containers having anopening size (e.g., neck OD, not including threads) of about 10 mm,about 20 mm, about 30 mm, about 40 cm mm about 50 mm, about 100 mm,about 200 mm, and any value or range between any two of these values(including endpoints). In some embodiments, an enclosure system mayinclude a single cap that is capable of being installed on containershaving an opening size (e.g., neck OD, not including threads) of about30 mm, about 30.4 mm, about 31 mm, about 32 mm, about 32.2 mm to about32.9 mm, about 33 mm, about 33.6 mm, about 34 mm, about 35 mm, about 40mm, and any value or range between any two of these values (includingendpoints).

In some embodiments, an enclosure system may include a single cap thatis capable of being installed on containers having a total opening size(e.g., neck OD including threads) of about 10 mm, about 20 mm, about 30mm, about 40 cm mm about 50 mm, about 100 mm, about 200 mm, and anyvalue or range between any two of these values (including endpoints). Insome embodiments, an enclosure system may include a single cap that iscapable of being installed on containers having a total opening size(e.g., neck OD including threads) of about 30 mm, about 31 mm, about 32mm, about 33 mm, about 33.2 mm, about 34 mm, about 35 mm, about 35.75mm, about 36 mm, about 36.26 mm, about 40 mm, and any value or rangebetween any two of these values (including endpoints).

In some embodiments, an enclosure system may include a single cap thatis capable of being installed on containers having a thread width ofabout 0.5 mm, about 1 mm, about 2 mm, about 3 mm, about 4 mm, about 5mm, about 10 mm, and any value or range between any two of these values(including endpoints). In some embodiments, an enclosure system mayinclude a single cap that is capable of being installed on containershaving a thread width of about 1 mm, about 1.83 mm, about 2 mm, about2.4 mm, about 2.66 mm, about 3 mm, and any value or range between anytwo of these values (including endpoints).

In some embodiments, an enclosure system may include a single cap thatis capable of being installed on containers having a thread pitch ofabout 1 mm, about 2 mm, about 3 mm, about 4 mm, about 5 mm, about 6 mm,about 7 mm, about 8 mm, about 9 mm, about 10 mm, and any value or rangebetween any two of these values (including endpoints). In someembodiments, an enclosure system may include a single cap that iscapable of being installed on containers having a thread pitch of about3 mm, about 3.94 mm, about 4 mm, about 4.23 mm, about 4.25 mm, about 5mm, and any value or range between any two of these values (includingendpoints).

In some embodiments, an enclosure system may include a single cap thatis capable of being installed on a fluid container having a GPI threadfinish of 350, 400, 410, 415, 425, 430, 450, and any value or rangebetween any two of these values (including endpoints).

In various embodiments, an enclosure system may include a single capthat is capable of being installed on different types of fluid containeropenings or necks. For example, a cap of an enclosure system accordingto some embodiments may be installed on (and form a seal with) fluidcontainer openings/necks with different dimensions. In some embodiments,an enclosure system may include a single cap that is capable of beinginstalled on a plurality of fluid container necks having a OD threaddifference (Δ OD thread) (i.e., the difference between an OD thread ofthe smallest OD thread neck and the largest OD thread neck) of about0.25 mm, about 0.5 mm, about 1 mm, about 1.5 mm, about 2 mm, about 3 mm,about 4 mm, about 5 mm, about 10 mm, and any value or range between anytwo of these values (including endpoints). In various embodiments, anenclosure system may include a single cap that is capable of beinginstalled on a plurality of fluid container openings having a OD openingdifference (Δ OD opening) (i.e., the difference between an OD opening ofthe neck with the smallest OD opening and the port with the largest ODopening) of about 0.25 mm, about 0.5 mm, about 1 mm, about 1.5 mm, about2 mm, about 3 mm, about 4 mm, about 5 mm, about 10 mm, and any value orrange between any two of these values (including endpoints).

All of the devices and/or methods disclosed and claimed herein can bemade and executed without undue experimentation in light of the presentdisclosure. While the devices and methods of this disclosure have beendescribed in terms of preferred embodiments, it may be apparent to thoseof skill in the art that variations can be applied to the devices and/ormethods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method ofthe present disclosure without departing from the concept, spirit andscope of the disclosure. All such similar substitutes and modificationsapparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit,scope and concept of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fluid container adapter, comprising: a shell with an interior cavity, wherein the interior cavity is configured to couple with a fluid container; and an elastic member disposed in the interior cavity, the elastic member comprising a cylindrical shape and configured to interface with an exterior threaded portion of the fluid container.
 2. The fluid container adapter of claim 1, wherein the elastic member is configured to seal with the exterior portion of the fluid container.
 3. The fluid container adapter of claim 1, wherein the elastic member comprises a first portion with a first thickness and a second portion with a second thickness, wherein the second portion is configured to flex more than the first portion.
 4. The fluid container adapter of claim 3, wherein the second thickness is less than the first thickness.
 5. The fluid container adapter of claim 3, wherein the second portion comprises an adjustable thread.
 6. The fluid container adapter of claim 1, wherein the shell includes with one or more passages.
 7. The fluid container adapter of claim 6, wherein the one or more passages are configured to place a tube set in fluid communication with an interior portion of the fluid container.
 8. The fluid container adapter of claim 1, comprising a gap between the elastic member and a portion of the shell, the elastic member configured to displace into at least a portion of the gap when interfaced with the exterior portion of the fluid container.
 9. The fluid container adapter of claim 1, wherein the elastic member comprises a shape memory elastomer.
 10. The fluid container adapter of claim 1, wherein the shell comprises one or more slides with at least one carriage disposed in each of the one or more slides.
 11. The fluid container adapter of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the elastic member is disposed on each of the one or more carriages.
 12. The fluid container adapter of claim 1, wherein an elastic disc is disposed on a flat-planar surface in the interior cavity.
 13. The fluid container adapter of claim 12, wherein the elastic disc is configured to seal with a top of the fluid container.
 14. A system, comprising: a fluid container; a fluid container adapter, comprising: a shell with an interior cavity, wherein the interior cavity is coupled to the fluid container; and an elastic member disposed in the interior cavity, the elastic member comprising a cylindrical shape and configured to interface with an exterior threaded portion of the fluid container; and a set of one or more tubes extending through the shell of the fluid container adapter and in fluid communication with an interior of the fluid container.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the shell comprises one or more slides with at least one carriage disposed in each of the one or more slides.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein at least a portion of the elastic member is disposed on each of the one or more carriages.
 17. The system of claim 15, wherein the elastic member is configured to seal with the exterior portion of the fluid container.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the exterior portion of the fluid container comprises male threads.
 19. A method, comprising forming a shell with an interior cavity and one or more holes extending through the shell and into the interior cavity; and disposing an elastic member in the interior cavity, the elastic member comprising a cylindrical shape and configured to seal with an exterior threaded portion of the fluid container.
 20. The method of claim 19, comprising disposing the elastic member in the interior cavity via overmolding. 